Chevrolet Impala LTZ 2015

Following its radical reinvention last year, the 2015 Chevrolet Impala largely stays the course, and with good reason: Chevy got it right the first time. Whereas the previous-generation Impala featured styling and trim that only a rental agency could love, the current model is attractive, well-appointed and fully competitive in its class. Indeed, it's hard to think of another car that has gone from zero to hero this quickly. If you're looking for a large sedan, the Impala is a genuine must-drive. For most shoppers, the only relevant changes for the 2015 Impala are the addition of standard in-car 4G data connection with WiFi capability -- a nice perk, for sure -- and the elimination of the short-lived "mild hybrid" eAssist model. But if you're a fan of innovative engineering, you'll want to watch for the fourth-quarter arrival of the bi-fuel Impala, which can run on both gasoline and compressed natural gas (CNG). Although most examples will be sold to commercial and government fleets, the bi-fuel Impala will be available to consumers as well. Regardless of what's under the hood, the Impala will impress you with its quiet ride, roomy interior and huge trunk -- all things that will certainly satisfy large-sedan shoppers. Of course, the Edmunds "B" rated Impala isn't the only choice out there. The standard-setter continues to be the Toyota Avalon, with its spacious interior, super smooth V6 and available hybrid model. We're also fond of the sleek and well-equipped Hyundai Azera and Kia Cadenza cousins, which nip at the Avalon's heels. Another compelling option is the luxurious, rear-wheel-drive 2015 Chrysler 300. The exceptionally well-executed 2015 Hyundai Genesis V6 may also fall into your price range. But should you buy any of the above without test-driving the Impala first? Not if you can help it. If you haven't driven an Impala since you were at the rental counter a few years back, we strongly recommend giving Chevy's reborn full-sizer a chance.

All 2015 Impalas are equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. The base engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 195 horsepower and 187 pound-feet of torque. Fuel economy is EPA-rated at 25 mpg combined (22 city/31 highway). Included with the four-cylinder is an automatic stop-start system that automatically shuts off the engine when you come to a halt to save fuel. Optional on the LT and LTZ is a 3.6-liter V6 rated at 305 hp and 264 lb-ft of torque. The standard EPA rating is 21 mpg combined (18 city/28 highway), but there's also a California emissions version that returns 22 mpg combined (19/29). In Edmunds performance testing, the V6 Impala accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds, an average showing for a large sedan. The bi-fuel Impala uses a special version of the 3.6-liter V6 modified for CNG duty. The trunk-mounted CNG tank holds the equivalent of 7.8 gallons of gasoline and yields an estimated 150 miles of city range. The bi-fuel Impala runs on CNG by default until it's depleted, but a dash-mounted switch lets you change fuels on the fly as desired. When running on CNG, output drops to 230 hp and 218 lb-ft of torque.

The 2015 Chevrolet Impala comes standard with antilock brakes, traction and stability control, front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and front knee airbags. Also standard is GM's OnStar service, which includes automatic crash notification, an emergency assistance button, remote door unlock and stolen vehicle assistance. Rear parking sensors are optional on the LS and LT. A rearview camera is also optional on the LT, as is an Advanced Safety package with forward collision alert, a lane-departure warning system, rear cross-traffic alert and blind-spot monitoring. All of the above items are standard on the LTZ. Optional for the LTZ is automatic braking for frontal crash mitigation that's bundled with the adaptive cruise control. In Edmunds brake testing, the V6-powered LTZ with 20-inch wheels came to a stop from 60 mph in 120 feet. That's slightly better than the norm in this class.